360Humans walk on the Moon for the first time
On 20 July 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. Hours later, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on its surface, followed by Buzz Aldrin, while Michael Collins orbited above. Hundreds of millions of people watched on television. The crew returned safely to Earth on 24 July, completing one of humanity's greatest journeys.
Apollo 11 lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 16 July 1969, carried by a Saturn V, the most powerful rocket flown at the time. On board were commander Neil Armstrong, lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin and command module pilot Michael Collins.
After three days in space, Armstrong and Aldrin moved into the lunar module, Eagle, and landed in the Sea of Tranquility on 20 July. Armstrong reported: “The Eagle has landed.”
A few hours later, Armstrong climbed down the ladder and stepped onto the Moon, saying: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Aldrin joined him about 20 minutes later. The two spent around two and a half hours outside, collecting about 21.5 kilograms of rock and soil and setting up scientific experiments.
Collins stayed in orbit aboard the command module, Columbia. The astronauts rejoined him the next day and splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean on 24 July.
The mission fulfilled a goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Twelve astronauts walked on the Moon before the Apollo programme ended in 1972. Space exploration later opened to many nations. In June 1985, Prince Sultan bin Salman flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the first Arab in space.
- 1961
- President Kennedy sets the goal of landing on the Moon
- 16 July 1969
- Apollo 11 launches from Florida
- 20 July 1969
- Eagle lands in the Sea of Tranquility
- 24 July 1969
- The crew splashes down in the Pacific
- 1972
- The last Apollo Moon landing
- June 1985
- Prince Sultan bin Salman becomes the first Arab in space
Sources: NASA · Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum · Britannica.